The new eco-friendly bulbs contain toxic mercury.
Energy-saving light bulbs are so dangerous that everyone must leave the room for at least 15 minutes if one falls to the floor and breaks, a Government department warned.
• Toxic mercury inside the bulbs can aggravate arange of problems including Migraines and dizziness.
• People with skin complaints should not be near the bulb
it can cause conditions such as eczema to flare up.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued the following advice on what to do if a low-energy light bulb breaks
• Evacuate the room, taking care not to step on the shards of glass littering the
floor.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clear up the mess as the machine’s sucking
action could spread toxic mercury droplets around the house.
• Put on rubber gloves and sweep the debris into a dustpan.
• Place the remains in a plastic bag and seal it.
• Do not put the bag in a normal household dustbin.
• Instead, place it I a municipal recycling bin for batteries which also contain
mercury or take it to a council dump where it can be disposed of safely.
• Try not to inhale dust from the broken bulb.
